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(MAY 25)— UP Diliman (UPD) honored 4,599 University Scholars in the undergraduate and graduate levels and those who distinguished themselves in various fields at the Parangal sa Mag-aaral 2016 at the University Theater on May 18.

University Scholars (US) are students who have earned a General Weighted Average (GWA) of not lower than 1.25 in the second semester of Academic Year (AY) 2013-2014 and first semester of AY 2014-2015.

The five academic units with the most number of US are the College of Engineering (CoE) with 930 awardees, College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (CSSP/643), Cesar E.A. Virata School of Business (VSB/485), College of Science (CS/454) and College of Mass Communication (CMC/300).

In the undergraduate level, CoE had the most number of US with 858 followed by CSSP (608), VSB (485), CS (399) and CMC (289).

In the graduate level, CoE also topped the list with 72 followed by the College of Education (CEd) and CS (both with 55 awardees), Technology Management Center (45), School of Urban and Regional Planning (44) and CSSP (35).

CoE and CSSP are units with the largest student population while CEd, the largest graduate enrollment.

UP also recognized graduates who made it to the top 10 in the  bar and licensure examinations for architects, librarians, social workers, teachers, accountants, nutritionist-dietitians, interior designers, psychometricians, civil engineers, electronics and communication engineers, electrical engineers, chemists and geologists; those who have distinguished themselves in other fields; and those who won in national and international competitions.

In addition, student volunteers at the Diliman Learning Resource Center, the 2015 University Student Council Election, Corps of Cadets and Corps of Sponsors were given special awards.

In his welcome remarks, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Neil Martial R. Santillan introduced the Seal of Good Governance as the special award for selected college councils. This award was given for the first time at the Parangal sa Mag-aaral.

Santillan said the awardees were selected “based on the standards set by the University Student Council” in five key areas as: posting of financial statements, minutes of the meeting and attendance record of officers; attendance to the League of College Councils’ meetings and Citizens Charter.

Six college councils from the CMC, School of Economics, National College of Public Administration and Governance, CoE, School of Statistics and VSB received the award. Each received a Seal and a gold plaque during the ceremony.

Meanwhile, Chancellor Michael L. Tan, who is also a linguistic anthropologist, talked about the meaning of the word “parangal o dangal” which is defined as honor or dignity. He said “These are good definitions that remind ourselves that this afternoon is not just about honor graduates but about the things that go into honor and excellence—the hallmarks of UP. It is a time to reflect on who we are this afternoon.”

In addition, Tan said the Parangal is also the time to honor the student athletes who “serve yet another form of excellence that we want to uphold here in UP, in the UP System, in UP Diliman. I see them as they practice long hours after doing acads the whole day and stay until midnight to prepare for the game has produced very important results for us, including the current events in the UAAP this year where the men’s and women’s football teams clinched the championship. We honor those athletes for not just for honoring UP but also for honoring the nation. Lagi ko ring sinasabi sa mga atletang iyan at sa mga Iskolar ng Bayan, ang tagumpay ng UP ay tagumpay ng Bayan!”

Furthermore, the Chancellor mentioned the three important values of being in UP: sipag (diligence), tiyaga (perseverance) and paninindigan (conviction or commitment to what they believe in).

“Our students pour in efforts because they believe in something. They believe that they can excel,” Tan said.

CoE student Williard Joshua D. Jose, in an inspirational message, talked about the role of a UP student.

Jose said “Bilang estudyante, ang pangunahin nating tungkulin ay ang mag-aral. Mag-aral hindi lamang para makakuha ng mataas na marka, ngunit tayo ay dapat mag-aral dahil tayo ay subsidized ng buwis ng mga Pilipino. Mag-aral, dahil napakapalad natin na mapabilang sa mga iskolar ng bayan.”

He also said it is important for UP students to study well in order to become experts in their chosen field and help solve the biggest problems of the Philippines.

He reminded his fellow awardees to uphold UP’s motto of “laging nauuna ang ‘Honor’ bago sa ‘Excellence’ —higit na mahalaga ang honor. Para saan pa ang galing natin kung hindi rin para sa ikabubuti ng iba? Ilaan natin ang ating talino at kaalaman para sa ikauunlad ng ating inang bayan.”

UPD also awarded the Parangal sa Samahang Mag-aaral to student organizations UP Chemical Engineering Society, Inc., UP Communication Research Society, UP Association of Business Administration Majors, UP Special Education Council, UP Circle of Entrepreneurs, UP Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants and the UP Academic League of Chemical Engineering Students.

Their citation reads “para sa kanilang proyekto na nakapag-ambag sa produksyon ng kaalaman at sa pagsasabuhay ng paglilingkod sa kapwa at sa sambayanan.”